May madness

It was on the Saturday, the day after Tom came, when we were in town that I suddenly had what seemed a crazy idea. Husband's Mum was going to be 91 on May 24th. We could not go and see her, as we had to be here for our Son and family to collect Tom, and they were staying overnight. It was to be the start of the half term holiday, and Daughter had been talking about visiting her Grandma, but with her husband needing to be around for interviews, she hadn't made plans. Our Son's old bedroom has become more of a storeroom, but I did wonder if someone could collect Grandma, and could she possibly stay with our Daughter?
First I asked husband, he wasn't sure how it would work out. I then asked Daughter, she thought it a good idea, but wasn't sure that she could do the journey in one day, and would have to stay overnight.
In my Sunday evening chat to Mum in law, I put the proposal to her, and asked her to think about it.
I'd had some difficult news that weekend, my dear friend C who had seemed to be getting better, had deteriorated during the week and was being sent home for palliative care. I was quite upset at this news.
We didn't go on any bike rides that week we were busy taking Tom for walks. On the Monday it was raining and husband took him for a long walk, so I had to towel him down afterwards. On the Wednesday, when Lydia came, she made friends with him, and seemed to enjoy having him around. The weather was fine so they were in the garden.

Tom waits expectantly

Tom just loves affection

A complication with my plan arose. Grandma's next door neighbour had recently died, and she had found out that the funeral was to be on the Friday. She had also been expecting delivery of bean plants, and despite enquiries she couldn't find out when they were to be delivered. She had, apparently told the suppliers the whole story, including that her Grandson whom she saw infrequently, was to be there, and would have to get back to.... not being able to remember the county, she said it was near the Scottish borders. This caused quite a lot of amusement for us who were waiting for will she/won't she come. At one point she wasn't coming.
I then suggested that she could come on the Saturday, husband agreed to collect her, the beans duly arrived and were potted,and all systems were go. To be on the safe side I posted her gift, just in case.
On the Friday I was busy getting the front bedroom ready, I was going to phone C's husband, but thought I'd do it later, but then later in the morning got a call from a mutual friend saying that C had entered the presence of her Lord that morning. I felt so sad, I had known her for nearly 35 years.
I rejoice that her earthly sufferings are over, but remembering how well she was doing before her last stay in hospital,when she was so bright and cheerful.
That evening, husband was on the phone to his Mum finalising the arrangements for her visit,and he learned that she had waited in vain for someone to collect her for the funeral, only to discover later that she had got the date wrong and it was to be the next Friday.
Next morning husband set off bright and early,  I took Tom for his 'final' run around the local field, with the ball thrower, then I walked into town to do the shopping alone. I had bought a chocolate Birthday cake earlier in the week., but I had the usual weekend shopping to do. Husband had rung to say he was there, but Mum in law had also bought a chocolate cake, and should she bring it? It would go out of date on the 30th. I sighed, and said ok!
Husband arrived home late afternoon, he had taken his Mum straight to our Daughter's. I had lent her the bedlinen and towels that we usually use for Grandma. Our Son and his wife arrived later, they had stopped on the way for a meal, so I had made a minced beef cobbler just for 2. Ethan seemed to be getting more used to me, but he had to go off to bed. Then they chatted to us about the holiday.
The next day we were up relatively early, and it seemed along time till church, as I had no dinner to prepare. The family went off to the new church plant, and we went to our usual service. We popped home briefly, then drove to the place which we had chosen for Sunday lunch, for Grandma's Birthday treat. It was a good lunch, and afterwards we headed to our home, where I put candles on the cake I had bought, and we sang Happy Birthday, and Grandma blew them out. then I cut a wedge for Son and his wife to take home with them, and we all went out to the back to see them off. Sadly our Son had to work the next day, which was a bank holiday.

Lydia tackles her huge Yorkshire pudding

Grandma tucks in

some of the family

Lydia fell asleep on the sofa, so that delayed us going to Daughter's, so they took Nat to the local park with his scooter, Some of the rest of us had a bit of a doze, but the others returned with a crying boy, who had gone over the handlebars of the scooter on the footpath along our road and bashed his face. So I had to give him a cold wet flannel, as he wouldn't  anyone else deal with it.

Lydia woke up, and daughter and family went back home,and we took Grandma there,and had a scrumptious tea, and a piece of Grandma's Birthday cake. I forgot to mention that Son in Law had gone shopping, and thinking I wouldn't have bought a big cake had also bought a cake, so that was 3 Birthday cakes she had!! Of course having had a nap, Lydia was late to bed. Husband and I noticed there was a sunset, so we walked over to the playing field opposite their house and took a few pictures. A lovely end to a lovely day, perhaps my idea hadn't been so mad after all, the whole family had been together for a while, which is always good.
Sadly, when we got home I found there were 3 missed calls on my answering machine, when I rang the number, it was a family member to say that her husband had passed away, so I rang our Daughter, and spoke to Mum in law to tell her the sad news.